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Regional comparison of leatherback sea turtle maturation attributes and reproductive longevity

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Abstract

Data characterizing somatic growth patterns and the ages and sizes at which organisms mature are fundamental to understanding population dynamics. However, obtaining this information for endangered leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) is particularly challenging due to unusual physiology and prevalence of remote oceanic habitat use, which limit direct observation. While inference has been made through indirect approaches such as captive, genetic, and/or skeletal growth mark (skeletochronology) studies, these diverse methods have yielded similarly varied results, limiting usefulness of available information for management and conservation. To address this data gap, we conducted refined skeletochronological analysis of Atlantic and Pacific leatherback scleral ossicle bones, allowing estimation of carapace length-at-age relationships throughout individual turtles’ lives, including the juvenile life stage. In addition, this improved approach made it possible to estimate mean and range for age and size at sexual maturation (ASM and SSM, respectively), as well as post-maturation longevity. Updated mean ASM estimates from the current study of 17–19 years were lower than those previously proposed using skeletochronology and more similar to predictions from captive growth and genetic data. Maximum estimates of reproductive longevity (18–22 years) were consistent with the 16–19 years reported previously from mark–recapture of nesting females. Together, these results indicate that the application of the refined analytical approach described in the current study may offer opportunities to increase understanding of leatherback age and growth.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the sample and data collection conducted by the participants in the National Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network, the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program, and the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office Observer Program, without which this study would not have been possible. The research and manuscript were improved through discussions with and comments from A. Chester, M. Godfrey, A. Hohn, K. Stewart, and two anonymous reviewers.

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The authors have no sources of funding to report for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA

    Larisa Avens & Lisa R. Goshe

  2. Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20013, USA

    George R. Zug

  3. Golden Honu Services of Oceania, Honolulu, HI, 96825, USA

    George H. Balazs

  4. Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Moss Landing, CA, 95039, USA

    Scott R. Benson

  5. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San Jose State University, Moss Landing, CA, 95039, USA

    Scott R. Benson

  6. National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA West Coast Region, Morro Bay, CA, 93442, USA

    Heather Harris

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  1. Larisa Avens
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  2. Lisa R. Goshe
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Correspondence to Larisa Avens.

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All procedures performed in the current study were approved and permitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (permit no. TE-67379 issued to the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center).

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Avens, L., Goshe, L.R., Zug, G.R. et al. Regional comparison of leatherback sea turtle maturation attributes and reproductive longevity. Mar Biol 167, 4 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3617-y

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